The Role of Chemistry in History

The Role of Chemistry in History header image 2

Conclusion

April 17th, 2008 · No Comments ·

Intro | Chemistry | Sources | Affects History | History affects  | Poor Countries | Undesired Effects  | Substitutes | Conclusion

Quinine, in sum, is one the molecules that have had a tremendous impact on the history of mankind. Although its medicinal properties were known well before, it has been made popular thanks to the campaign of the Jesuits in the 17th century. The understanding of its chemistry as well as periods of high demands have led to attempts towards its synthetic make up which has only been achieved in 2001. Because of its many side effects and the scarcity of its source, cheaper and better alternatives have been sought after. These substitutes, however, did not completely remove quinine from the list of the leading drugs for the treatment and prevention of the world number one killer disease. After the recent successful synthesis of this potent molecule, there is reason to believe that one day soon, the world may free itself from the malaria disease.

Bibliography: 

  1.    Ball, Phillip. “History of science: Quinine steps back in time”. Nature: 2008. www.nature.com.
  2. Barton, Patricia & Mills, James H. Drugs and empires: Essays in Modern Imperialism and Intoxication. Palgrave McMillan. New York: 2007.
  3. Burreson, Jay & Le Couteur, Penny. Napoleon’s button: 17 molecules that changed history. Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin. New York: 2004.
  4. Considine, Glenn D. Van Nostrand’s encyclopedia of chemistry. Wiley-Interscience. Hoboken, NJ: 2005.
  5. Cotton, Simon. “The Mighty Quinine”. http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk. http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/quinine/quininev.htm
  6. Dagani, Ron. Quinine. Chemical & Engineering News. Washington, DC: 2005. http://envoy.dickinson.edu:2048/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=857229151&sid=3&Fmt=2&clientId=4534&RQT=309&VName=PQD
  7. Duran-Reynals. The fever bark tree. Double Day and Company. Garden City: 1946.
  8. Frankel, S. Herbert. The economic impact on underdeveloped countries: Essay on international investment and social change. Harvard University Press. Cambridge: 1955.
  9. Isaacman, Allen & Roberts, Richard. Cotton, Colonialism, and Social History in Sub-Saharan Africa. Heinemann. Portsmouth, NH: 1995.
  10. Keen, Mary. The dark side of the vegetable world. The Spectator. London: 1999. http://envoy.dickinson.edu:2048/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdwep?did=42416027&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=4534&RQT=309&VName=PPQ
  11.  Magill, Alan & Panosian Claire. Making Antimalarial Agents Available in the United States. The New England Journal of Medicine. Boston: 2005. http://envoy.dickinson.edu:2048/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=875776471&sid=8&Fmt=3&clientId=4534&RQT=309&VName=PQD
  12. Mahar, Dulcy. Homes & Garden of the Northwest. The Orgonian. Portaland, Or: 2003. http://envoy.dickinson.edu:2048/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=489774871&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=4534&RQT=309&VName=PQD
  13. Rinsky, Rober A. Public Health Reports: Historical Collection 1878-2005. Association of Schools of Public Health. Washington DC: 2005.
  14. Werner, Louis. Quinine’s: Feverish tales and trails. Americas. Washington, DC: 2003. http://envoy.dickinson.edu:2048/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=419274271&sid=2&Fmt=4&clientId=4534&RQT=309&VName=PQD
  15.  Williams, Stephen. The Fever Trail. African Business. London: 2002. http://envoy.dickinson.edu:2048/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=105869691&sid=1&Fmt=4&clientId=4534&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Tags: Quinine